Hi everyone,
Long time lurker and finally signed up to actively participate. I've been riding my '07 GS500F for almost 4 years now and I finally decided to start taking care of my own maintenance work.
Now the question is: which tools do I need (without spending all my :cheers: money)?
My immediate goal is to replace my chain and sprockets. I'd like to change my tires but not sure if it's worth getting a wheel balancing stand and all that stuff when I only change tires every couple years.
Of course oil change etc I want to do myself as well.
I probably need:
- some metric wrenches - how about https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-combination-wrench-set-9-pc-0588602p.html (seeing those for $25 on Facebook marketplace)
- a socket set - https://fortnine.ca/en/motion-pro-tri-drive-mini-t-hndle-kit-1-4-w-sockets-08-0389 - might need more socket sizes?
- some kind of pliers - not sure which ones, can probably find some used on FB marketplace
- torque wrench(es) - seeing between 7lb-ft and 70lb-ft in my manual for different components
- screwdrivers?
And of course the usual of zip ties, gloves, wd-40, rags.
I've been literally searching all day to come up with a list that makes sense and am failing so hard.
Thank you for your tips,
Axel
PS: I'm in BC, Canada if that makes any difference for recommending places to buy from
Hello and welcome, a reasonable item to spend money is the haynes book, it tells you the tools you need for each maintenance. But if i have to say one tool for overall maintenances (for beginners) probably go with those adjustable spanners.
Ofc, pliers, cutters and self locking grips are handy.
One concern i found with the spanner set you linked is that it haven't got a 16mm nor 18mm. On my bike i've got the rear axle fastened with 16mm nut and bolt. It's a -92 tho, so i dont know if there has been changes through the years.
But in the end of the day the sprocket and chain change aint too complicated, might be difficult for first timers to line the rear tire straight so it doesnt wiggle.
Theres a page on the haynes book with all the tools you would need for regular maintenance at home(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210615/4cf3682e47487793107f9560a9caf4aa.jpg)
Awesome, thanks @Meukowi!
I actually did get the Haynes book but it's currently in my storage locker (3h + $60 ferry ride one way) but I'll go back there in about 2 months time. Gonna go with the Suzuki manual and youtube videos till then.
Definitely gonna pick up an adjustable wrench and check the nut and bolt sizes on my axle.
One big question I had, do I **need** a torque wrench? The manual ofc provides torque values for every single bolt and nut on the bike, but lots of stuff besides the engine just needs to be hand-tight I assume. And if a torque wrench, for what - I guess for the axle a medium weight one (20-100lb-ft) while for other parts probably smaller ones.
How about this pliers and wrench set? https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-wrench-pliers-set-6-pc-0584790p.html
I'd avoid adjustable wrenches at all costs.... Your nuts and your knuckles will thank you.... 😉
A Canadian tyre socket and spanner set will be fine. Alon with a small kit of hex (allen) keys that fit on the socket wrench. As a start but you are now on a long road of tool collection.
I really miss Canadian tyre :-(
Ive got old british bikes and I Really envy the folks that can stay metric with just a few tools....
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/maximum-hex-key-bit-socket-set-sae-9-pc-0589652p.html?rrec=true#spc
Alright thanks for all your help everyone, here's what I got so far:
- 3/8" drive ratchet with metric and sae socket set (most notably: 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,17,19 mm) - $5 second hand
- 18mm deep socket for spark plugs
- 22mm socket for rear axle
- 8" long nose pliers
- metric Allen (hex) key set, 13pc (1.3, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 8, 10 mm)
- metric combination wrench set, 9pc (7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17 and 19mm)
- screwdriver set, 6pc
and lastly GearWrench 3/8" Drive Torque Wrench - 10-100 ft-lbs
For garage supplies I got:
- haynes manual
- 3pc funnel set
- PERMATEX BLUE Removable Strength Threadlocker 6mL
- WD40
- 3-in-One Multi-Purpose Oil - can I use that to lube my control cables?
- chain lube
- couple of cleaning supplies
Picked all those up from different hardware stores and some things 2nd hand for under 300CAD (almost half of that was the torque wrench, some garage supplies I had already, e.g. chain lube)
I think I have everything besides cotter pins and grease to do the following on my project list:
- replace chain and sprockets
- replace spark plugs
- replace air filter
- take of my wheels to have a local garage slap on new rubber
Am I missing anything? Can't wait to order my parts and get started!
If you put many miles on the GS500 you will have to get familiar with checking the valve clearances and changing shims. My Haynes manual suggests checking them and re-torqueing the cylinder head bolts every 4,000 miles. That's every oil change!
For the valve check/adjust job you will need a metric feeler gauge set and the Motion Pro shim removal tool. The valve check seems intimidating at first...my first time I dedicated a weekend just to be sure I took my time and did everything right. Now I can do it in ~2 hours.